November 25, 2013

The Bee's Joe Davidson and Mike Finnerty from SureWest Sports assess the upcoming Sac-Jaoquin Section semifinal football playoffs, sharing their observations and predictions as Sacramento-area postseason football continues.

And here for a story on an area quarterback who talks football and life

THE BEE'S TOP 20
These rankings reflect momentum and some - but not all - head-to-head results. The Bee will publish official season-ending rankings after the CIF State Bowl games.

1. Folsom (12-0)
In beating Franklin, Jake Browning tossed 6 TDs for a state-record 68 on the season. Folsom is 25-1 that last two years. Wins this year include Oak Ridge, Granite Bay, Jesuit, Pleasant Grove and Franklin. 2. Del Oro (10-2)
The Golden Eagles beat Whitney 35-11 after leading 14-11 at the half. The Golden Eagles are unbeaten in section play with wins over Grant, Rocklin and Granite Bay. The last loss was to De La Salle. 3. Oak Ridge (11-1)
The Trojans have pitched second-half shutouts in 3 successive games, 2 in the playoffs, including Granite Bay. Other wins inclide Grant, Vacaville, Rocklin, Pleasant Grove and Jesuit. The loss was to Folsom.4. Elk Grove (11-1)
The Thundering Herd beat Burbank 18-12, allowing one offensive TD and five first downs. The other monster defensive effort was a 7-3 win over Grant. Wadus Parker and the defense continue to shine. 5. Rio Linda (11-1)
The Knights actually passed a few times in beating Vacaville, meaning Stephen Andrews is a duel-threat, too. Winning streak is 11 after Marcel Brown sizzled with 233 yards and 3 TDs.6. Pleasant Grove (10-2)
The Eagles beat Stagg of Stockton for the third time in the playoffs as Ian Broom carried 43 times for 241 yards. Earl Chism and Kyle Dixon are other leaders. Other wins were against Burbank, Rocklin and Jesuit with losses to Oak Ridge and Folsom.7. Jesuit (9-3)
The Marauders are 2-0 in the playoffs in taking out Merced and Tracy, two heavies from the South. Jason Elenberger to Isaiah Bailey is a deep-threat option. The losses are to Pleasant Grove, Oak Ridge and Folsom. Folsom is next.8. Inderkum (10-2)
The Tigers beat Vanden 62-42 in D-III play, and no, it wasn't basketball. The wing-T hums right along behind Austin Thurman, who ran for 3 TDs, and steady QB ace C.J. Spencer and DB Jordan Thomas. 9. Yuba City (11-1)
The Honkers played superb defense against a red-hot Grant team for a 27-12 win, the biggest for the program since the 1987 City Championship triumph over Grant. Omar Herrera has been terrific at RB this season. The loss was to Inderkum.10. Grant (8-4)
The Pacers lost to Yuba City 27-12 in D-II play. Most of the team returns, including national recruit lineman Darrin Paulo and RB Deandre Whittington-Grays.11. Granite Bay (8-4)
The Grizzlies lost to Oak Ridge in D-I play 28-17 after leading 17-14 at the half. Cam Smith returns next season, and probably Ernie Cooper as head coach. 12. Burbank (9-3)
The Titans lost to Elk Grove 18-12 in D-II play, despite an 99-yard kickoff return by Calvin Green. Other losses were to Grant and Pleasant Grove.13. Rocklin (7-4)
Lost a D-II opener to Vacaville after starting the season 0-2. Beat Granite Bay with close losses to Oak Ridge, Del Oro and Pleasant Grove.14. Center (9-3)
The Cougars have two stars in Tyrell Anderson and Joe Swen and two recent wins over Placer. Next is 12-0 Hilmar.15. Christian Brothers (9-3)
The Falcons beat top-seeded D-III American Canyon 30-27 behind QB Chris Guillen, who had four TDs, including a 99-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Thompson.16. Sacramento (10-2)
The Dragons are 2-0 in the D-III playoffs - the program's first-ever postseason victories. The latest was agaisnt defending champion Oakdale 40-21 as Caden Voges accounted for 4 scores.17. Franklin (8-4)
The Wildcats lost to No. 1 Folsom 49-16. Franklin beat Elk Grove and tied for the Delta Valley Conference title. 18. Whitney (8-4)
The Wildcats had their 7-game winning streak snapped at Del Oro in D-II. Whitney won the Capital Athletic League. 19. Placer (6-6)
The Hillmen lost to Center in D-IV play, the same team it tied for the Pioneer Valley League title after starting the season 1-4.20. Casa Roble (8-4)
The Rams lost to Manteca in D-III a year after going 1-9. Peyton Wilfley had a big season.

About the Prep blog

Bee staff writers Joe Davidson and Bill Paterson provide news, analysis and insight on the area high school sports scene in their Prep Blog. Have a question to ask them? Send them an email any time at jdavidson@sacbee.com or bpaterson@sacbee.com.